A Bridgeton man faces up to 20 years in prison after a jury found him guilty Thursday of second-degree reckless manslaughter, but not guilty of murder, in a Cumberland County shooting.
Raheem Jacobs, 33, was charged in the August 2015 shooting death of Keon Butler, 28, also of Bridgeton.
Butler was driving a minivan near the intersection of North Laurel and Myrtle streets in Bridgeton when he was hit by a single shot to the head, according to the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office. The fatal shot was fired from another vehicle that had been following him.
The minivan crashed into a parked vehicle and utility pole before coming to a stop, according to investigators. Butler was found slumped over the wheel and unresponsive. There was also a passenger in the van, though officials not say if that person was injured.
Jacobs was arrested in October 2015 and charged with murder, weapons offenses and other charges.
He was only convicted on the reckless manslaughter charge. The jury found Jacobs not guilty of murder, aggravated manslaughter, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 15. If sentenced to 20 years, Jacobs would have to serve at least 17 years before he is eligible for parole, according to the prosecutor’s office.
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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
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